EDITOR'S NOTE: The Thumbs Column is being published one day later than usual.
Ah, yes. The real signs of winter briefly visited the Spa City last weekend.
Many of us still prefer June to January, but, if impatience with the colder clime becomes too much, consider the following viewpoint from Albert Camus:
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer." (From the book, "Quiet Thoughts: Reflections on the Meaning of Life")
Speaking of personal quietude, reflections and enjoyment of the beautiful outdoors that surround us, we give a "Thumbs-up" to the ongoing rehabilitation and expansion of the Northwoods Trails system.
As Traci Berry, Northwoods Trails coordinator recently noted in the hometown newspaper, " ... the newest additions should be completed by mid-January and bikers, hikers, and trail runners are all welcome."
The trails system is located at 300 Pineland Drive and has become a major Resort City tourist attraction and a pleasant getaway for local denizens.
We also send out a "Thumbs-up" to the Garland County Library and the Garland County Heath Unit for distributing COVID-19 test kits to our residents.
Adam Webb, director of the Garland County Library, reported that some 540 free kits were handed out last week via the facility's drive-thru line in about 30 minutes. Susan Lester, the administrator of the neighboring county health facility, said at the same time that she and her staff had many kits available and urged Hot Springs citizens to come by or call the unit.
Information about the library's allocation may be found on its social media posts and The Department of Health has test kit data on its website.
Meanwhile, here's a special "Thank you" and "Thumbs-up" to Sally Carder, volunteer coordinator at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and Kim Carter, executive director of Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic, for their tireless efforts in rallying a community-wide team of organizations, businesses, churches, and volunteers to open and operate temporary warming shelters for the homeless.
And the same goes to all of the support these pop-up shelters receive from local governments and other agencies that make certain these centers have the supplies and staffing needed.
Meanwhile, here is "Thumbs-up" to the good news that the ninth "Arts & The Park" festival will be held from April 29 to May 8.
"Creative Roots" will be the theme for this year's event, which is apropos since Liz Cosgrove, festival and programming coordinator for the Hot Springs Cultural Alliance, and Mary Zunick, the Alliance's executive director, discussed a folk theme and "getting back to the roots and traditional art forms and celebrating every possible one we can find."
Zunick said all the pieces along the Hot Springs Creek Greenway, will open the festival on April 29 and "artists will be asked to draw inspiration from their cultural roots or our collective Arkansas cultural roots."
By the same token, a "Thumbs-up" goes out to Steve Murray, owner, and Southern Flooring Co., for recently establishing a $1,000 "Community Matters" scholarship for Jessieville High School seniors.
Murray wants to recognize a "student-athlete and team-oriented, extracurricular activity participant" who has a commitment to the community. Eligible students must have a 3.2 GPA and submit written essays outlining what they have done for their community and why the community is important. All eligible students must be planning to attend a college or university, a community college, or trade school.
The scholarship presentation will be Feb. 15, which coincides with the Jessieville Senior Night basketball games.
The Thumbs Column normally appears in The Sentinel-Record on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The newspaper welcomes readers' comments and suggestions, which should be submitted in writing with a telephone number and home address for verification and contact purposes. This information is kept confidential.